system unbootable after updating from edgy to feisty

Start in recovery mode and type:

sudo fdisk -l

-l is lower -L

Copy and paste result here.

Thank you

i cant get into the recovery mode. it gives me the same output i posted above when i try to load with the recovery kernel.

i punched it into the prompt it gives me, and heres what i get as output:
__________________________________________________
/bin/sh: sudo: not found
(initramfs)_
__________________________________________

olivier, i tried the fix you suggested, but it still gives me the same error, but says sda1 instead of hda1.

How many partitions do you have ?

If I were you, I would try hda1, hda2,...,hda5 and idem with sda1,..., sda5
Not really clever and a bit boring but I hope you will find something that works

If that still does not work, you will need an Ubuntu liveCD (whatever version) to repare GRUB.

i have a live cd for ubuntu 6.10 and 7.10. will i be able to use the 7.10 disc to repair grub, or will i have to go bach to the edgy disc?

and i only have 1 partition. the computer in question is a linux only computer

Yeah, go ahead with the 7.10 CD

ok...what do i need to do to repair grub? ive never had to do this before, so im not sure what to do

First, are you sure your upgrade went well ?

Enter the foloowing command in a terminal :

mkdir ubuntulocal
sudo fdisk -l

you should get the name of your disk, ie sda1, or something else. Assuming it is sda1, enter

sudo mount /dev/sda1 ubuntulocal
sudo chroot ubuntulocal

open AN OTHER terminal and enter the following commands
sudo mount -o bind /proc ubuntulocal/proc
sudo mount -o bind /dev ubuntulocal/dev

chroot does as if you were using your local installation. Therefore, you can finish a failed upgrade for instance, doing in THE FIRST terminal

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

and to repare grub, just do
sudo install-grub /dev/sda
(if your disk is called sda)

oops. to repare grub, it's the command

sudo grub-install /dev/sda

not really, seeing as how i ran into this problem. that and i was trying to update to feisty so i could then upgrade to gutsy. i thought everything there had gone well though, seeing as how it hadn't listed any errors in the console, and there were no more packages to update

do i enter that in the terminal menu option when the liveCD auto-boots?

No, boot the liveCD normally, and open 2 terminals when the gnome session has opened

i cannot run the apt-get commands because i cannot connect the computer to the wireless for some reason, and when i try to enter the last command in the terminal it tells me that sda1 does not have any corresponding BIOS device, even though it clearly says under fdisk that sda1 is my primary linux partition...

you have to enter

sudo grub-install /dev/sda

and not sudo "grub-install /dev/sda"

if you have not any internet connection, you can still enter the following command to make sure everything is OK :

sudo apt-get -f install

you have to enter

sudo grub-install /dev/sda

and not sudo "grub-install /dev/sda1"

if you have not any internet connection, you can still enter the following command to make sure everything is OK :

sudo apt-get -f install

SOrry for the double post. read only the second one

i recieved an error code when doing the apt-get -f install

-----------
errors were encountered while processing:
 acpid
 acpi-support
 powermanagement-interface
 gnome-power-manager
 gnome-session
e: sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

will this cause me problems when i repair the grub and reboot?

also, when i retried to repair the grub using the

sudo grub-install /dev/sda

it gave me this error:

could not find device for /boot: not found or not a block device.

Something went wrong during your update. Can you connect through ethernet ? what is your wifi card ?

im too far away from the router to connect through hardline right now, i couldnt access the net when i tried to do a bridge connect through my laptop before. my wifi adapter is an external linksys wireless b WUSB11. i have no idea why, but the adapter can't see the wireless network right now. it is all set up correctly, because i saw it earlier when i first started the computer up with the liveCD, but when i tried to connect, it wouldnt accept my wep key, then it refused to detect the network anymore.

enter in console (yes, still an other one :-) )

sudo killall NetworkManager
sudo NetworkManager

Tell me if that helps

sorry, but that didnt help. i tried to run the command and it appeared to freeze, so i left it over night to see if anything happened, but nothing did...ill just move the thing to the other room and connect it directly

when i did the net connected update, it gave me these errors again:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Errors were encountered while processing:
 acpid
 acpi-support
 powermanagement-interface
 gnome-power-manager
 gnome-session
 ubuntu-desktop
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

and it still gives me the same message when i try to reinstall grub
-----------------------------
could not find device for /boot: not found or not a block device.
-----------------------------

what else should i do?

also, here is what i get when i run fdisk -l:
----------------------

Disk /dev/sda: 20.0 GB, 20020396032 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 2434 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 2341 18804051 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 2342 2434 747022+ 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 2342 2434 746991 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Please post here the full output of the command

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

(executed within the chrooted console)

full output for apt-get update:
-----------------------------------------
root@ubuntu:/# sudo apt-get update
Ign cdrom://Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071016) gutsy/main Translation-en_US
Ign cdrom://Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071016) gutsy/restricted Translation-en_US
Get:1 http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security Release.gpg [191B]
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security/main Translation-en_US
Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty Release.gpg [191B]
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Get:3 http://security.ubuntu.com edgy-security Release.gpg [191B]
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com edgy-security/multiverse Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com edgy-security/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty/restricted Translation-en_US
Get:4 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates Release.gpg [191B]
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates/restricted Translation-en_US
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy Release.gpg [191B]
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy/multiverse Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy/universe Translation-en_US
Get:6 http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security Release [50.9kB]
Get:7 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy-updates Release.gpg [191B]
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy-updates/multiverse Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy-updates/universe Translation-en_US
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy-updates Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty/main Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty/restricted Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty/main Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty/restricted Sources
Get:8 http://security.ubuntu.com edgy-security Release [50.9kB]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates/main Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates/restricted Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates/main Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com feisty-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy/multiverse Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy/universe Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy-updates/multiverse Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com edgy-updates/universe Packages
Get:9 http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security/main Packages [101kB]
Get:10 http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security/restricted Packages [6341B]
Get:11 http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security/main Sources [17.9kB]
Get:12 http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security/restricted Sources [956B]
Get:13 http://security.ubuntu.com edgy-security/multiverse Packages [5591B]
Get:14 http://security.ubuntu.com edgy-security/universe Packages [68.7kB]
Fetched 303kB in 4s (73.3kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
root@ubuntu:/#

ful output for sudo apt-get dist-upgrade:
-----------------------------------
root@ubuntu:/# sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages have been kept back:
  libatm1
The following packages will be upgraded:
  libkpathsea4
1 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 1 not upgraded.
6 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 82.3kB of archives.
After unpacking 4096B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]?
-----------------
i chose y
-----------------------------
Get:1 http://security.ubuntu.com feisty-security/main libkpathsea4 3.0-27ubuntu1.2 [82.3kB]
Fetched 82.3kB in 1s (58.1kB/s)
(Reading database ... 163008 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace libkpathsea4 3.0-27ubuntu1 (using .../libkpathsea4_3.0-27ubuntu1.2_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libkpathsea4 ...
Setting up acpid (1.0.4-5ubuntu6) ...
 * Starting ACPI services... acpid: can't open /proc/acpi/event: Device or resource busy
invoke-rc.d: initscript acpid, action "start" failed.
dpkg: error processing acpid (--configure):
 subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of acpi-support:
 acpi-support depends on acpid (>= 1.0.4-1ubuntu4); however:
  Package acpid is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing acpi-support (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of powermanagement-interface:
 powermanagement-interface depends on acpi-support (>= 0.17); however:
  Package acpi-support is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing powermanagement-interface (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of gnome-power-manager:
 gnome-power-manager depends on powermanagement-interface; however:
  Package powermanagement-interface is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing gnome-power-manager (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of gnome-session:
 gnome-session depends on gnome-power-manager; however:
  Package gnome-power-manager is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing gnome-session (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of ubuntu-desktop:
 ubuntu-desktop depends on acpi-support; however:
  Package acpi-support is not configured yet.
 ubuntu-desktop depends on acpid; however:
  Package acpid is not configured yet.
 ubuntu-desktop depends on gnome-power-manager; however:
  Package gnome-power-manager is not configured yet.
 ubuntu-desktop depends on gnome-session; however:
  Package gnome-session is not configured yet.
 ubuntu-desktop depends on powermanagement-interface; however:
  Package powermanagement-interface is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing ubuntu-desktop (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Setting up libkpathsea4 (3.0-27ubuntu1.2) ...

Errors were encountered while processing:
 acpid
 acpi-support
 powermanagement-interface
 gnome-power-manager
 gnome-session
 ubuntu-desktop
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
root@ubuntu:/#

OK. in a console outside the chroot, enter the following command

sudo killall acpid

the problem is /proc/acpi/event is already accessed by the acpi daemon of the liveCD

retry after that

i retried the apt-get update and heres what it gave me:
------------------
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo killall acpid
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get update
Ign cdrom://Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071016) gutsy/main Translation-en_US
Ign cdrom://Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071016) gutsy/restricted Translation-en_US
Get:1 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security Release.gpg [191B]
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy Release.gpg [191B]
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/restricted Translation-en_US
Get:3 http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy Release [65.9kB]
Get:4 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security Release [51.2kB]
Get:5 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main Packages [43.6kB]
Get:6 http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/main Packages [1075kB]
Get:7 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/restricted Packages [14B]
Get:8 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main Sources [7537B]
Get:9 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/restricted Sources [14B]
Get:10 http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/restricted Packages [7664B]
Get:11 http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/main Sources [306kB]
Get:12 http://archive.ubuntu.com gutsy/restricted Sources [2120B]
Fetched 1560kB in 1m42s (15.1kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
------------------------------------------------------
im guessing this is a good thing since it gave me no errors. the sudo apt-get dist-upgrade wasn't so nice
-----------------------------------------------------
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages will be upgraded:
  compiz compiz-core compiz-gnome compiz-plugins cupsys cupsys-bsd
  cupsys-client cupsys-common firefox firefox-gnome-support ghostscript
  ghostscript-x gnome-screensaver libcairo2 libcupsimage2 libcupsys2
  libdecoration0 libflac8 libgs8 libkpathsea4 libmono-cairo1.0-cil
  libmono-corlib1.0-cil libmono-corlib2.0-cil libmono-data-tds2.0-cil
  libmono-security2.0-cil libmono-sharpzip2.84-cil libmono-sqlite2.0-cil
  libmono-system-data2.0-cil libmono-system-web2.0-cil libmono-system1.0-cil
  libmono-system2.0-cil libmono0 libmono2.0-cil libpcre3 libpcrecpp0
  libperl5.8 libpng12-0 libpoppler-glib2 libpoppler2 libpurple0 libsmbclient
  libssl0.9.8 mono-common mono-gac mono-jit mono-runtime openssl perl
  perl-base perl-modules pidgin pidgin-data poppler-utils samba-common
  smbclient
55 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 50.6MB of archives.
After unpacking 28.7kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
Get:1 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main perl-modules 5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1 [2310kB]
Get:2 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main perl 5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1 [3387kB]
Get:3 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libperl5.8 5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1 [533kB]
Get:4 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main perl-base 5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1 [765kB]
Get:5 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libssl0.9.8 0.9.8e-5ubuntu3.1 [2825kB]
Get:6 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libpng12-0 1.2.15~beta5-2ubuntu0.1 [188kB]
Get:7 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libcairo2 1.4.10-1ubuntu4.1 [524kB]
Get:8 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libdecoration0 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1 [48.5kB]
Get:9 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main compiz-gnome 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1 [172kB]
Get:10 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main compiz-plugins 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1 [280kB]
Get:11 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main compiz-core 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1 [191kB]
Get:12 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main compiz 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1 [31.7kB]
Get:13 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libcupsys2 1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1 [182kB]
Get:14 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libcupsimage2 1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1 [46.1kB]
Get:15 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libpoppler2 0.6-0ubuntu2.1 [662kB]
Get:16 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main poppler-utils 0.6-0ubuntu2.1 [120kB]
Get:17 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libgs8 8.61.dfsg.1~svn8187-0ubuntu3.2 [2204kB]
Get:18 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main ghostscript 8.61.dfsg.1~svn8187-0ubuntu3.2 [744kB]
Get:19 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main cupsys-common 1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1 [1080kB]
Get:20 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main cupsys 1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1 [2017kB]
Get:21 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main cupsys-bsd 1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1 [36.4kB]
Get:22 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main cupsys-client 1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1 [86.3kB]
Get:23 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main firefox-gnome-support 2.0.0.11+2nobinonly-0ubuntu0.7.10 [91.4kB]
Get:24 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main firefox 2.0.0.11+2nobinonly-0ubuntu0.7.10 [9185kB]
Get:25 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main ghostscript-x 8.61.dfsg.1~svn8187-0ubuntu3.2 [50.9kB]
Get:26 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main gnome-screensaver 2.20.0-0ubuntu4.2 [1570kB]
Get:27 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libflac8 1.1.4-3ubuntu1.1 [139kB]
Get:28 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libkpathsea4 2007-12ubuntu3.1 [109kB]
Get:29 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main mono-runtime 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [1118B]
Get:30 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main mono-gac 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [14.2kB]
Get:31 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main mono-jit 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [696kB]
Get:32 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main mono-common 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [109kB]
Get:33 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-corlib1.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [1086kB]
Get:34 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-cairo1.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [19.2kB]
Get:35 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-corlib2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [1222kB]
Get:36 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono0 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [768kB]
Get:37 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-system2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [1317kB]
Get:38 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-security2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [115kB]
Get:39 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-data-tds2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [29.6kB]
Get:40 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-sharpzip2.84-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [58.7kB]
Get:41 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-system-data2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [279kB]
Get:42 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-sqlite2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [67.0kB]
Get:43 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-system-web2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [793kB]
Get:44 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono-system1.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [896kB]
Get:45 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libmono2.0-cil 1.2.4-6ubuntu6.1 [213kB]
Get:46 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libpcre3 7.4-0ubuntu0.7.10.1 [204kB]
Get:47 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libpcrecpp0 7.4-0ubuntu0.7.10.1 [90.9kB]
Get:48 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libpoppler-glib2 0.6-0ubuntu2.1 [99.8kB]
Get:49 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main pidgin-data 1:2.2.1-1ubuntu4.1 [1390kB]
Get:50 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libpurple0 1:2.2.1-1ubuntu4.1 [1454kB]
Get:51 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main openssl 0.9.8e-5ubuntu3.1 [872kB]
Get:52 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main pidgin 1:2.2.1-1ubuntu4.1 [603kB]
Get:53 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main smbclient 3.0.26a-1ubuntu2.2 [4886kB]
Get:54 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main samba-common 3.0.26a-1ubuntu2.2 [2835kB]
Get:55 http://security.ubuntu.com gutsy-security/main libsmbclient 3.0.26a-1ubuntu2.2 [885kB]
Fetched 50.6MB in 54m7s (15.6kB/s)
Extracting templates from packages: 100%
Preconfiguring packages ...
(Reading database ... 92004 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace perl-modules 5.8.8-7ubuntu3 (using .../perl-modules_5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement perl-modules ...
Preparing to replace perl 5.8.8-7ubuntu3 (using .../perl_5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement perl ...
Preparing to replace libperl5.8 5.8.8-7ubuntu3 (using .../libperl5.8_5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libperl5.8 ...
Preparing to replace perl-base 5.8.8-7ubuntu3 (using .../perl-base_5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement perl-base ...
Setting up perl-base (5.8.8-7ubuntu3.1) ...
(Reading database ... 92004 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace libssl0.9.8 0.9.8e-5ubuntu3 (using .../libssl0.9.8_0.9.8e-5ubuntu3.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libssl0.9.8 ...
Preparing to replace libpng12-0 1.2.15~beta5-2build1 (using .../libpng12-0_1.2.15~beta5-2ubuntu0.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libpng12-0 ...
Preparing to replace libcairo2 1.4.10-1ubuntu4 (using .../libcairo2_1.4.10-1ubuntu4.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libcairo2 ...
Preparing to replace libdecoration0 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1 (using .../libdecoration0_1%3a0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libdecoration0 ...
Preparing to replace compiz-gnome 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1 (using .../compiz-gnome_1%3a0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement compiz-gnome ...
Preparing to replace compiz-plugins 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1 (using .../compiz-plugins_1%3a0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement compiz-plugins ...
Preparing to replace compiz-core 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1 (using .../compiz-core_1%3a0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement compiz-core ...
Preparing to replace compiz 1:0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1 (using .../compiz_1%3a0.6.0+git20071008-0ubuntu1.1_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement compiz ...
Preparing to replace libcupsys2 1.3.2-1ubuntu7 (using .../libcupsys2_1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libcupsys2 ...
Preparing to replace libcupsimage2 1.3.2-1ubuntu7 (using .../libcupsimage2_1.3.2-1ubuntu7.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libcupsimage2 ...
Preparing to replace libpoppler2 0.6-0ubuntu2 (using .../libpoppler2_0.6-0ubuntu2.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libpoppler2 ...
Preparing to replace poppler-utils 0.6-0ubuntu2 (using .../poppler-utils_0.6-0ubuntu2.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement poppler-utils ...
Preparing to replace libgs8 8.61.dfsg.1~svn8187-0ubuntu3 (using .../libgs8_8.61.dfsg.1~svn8187-0ubuntu3.2_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libgs8 ...
Preparing to replace ghostscript 8.61.dfsg.1~svn8187-0ubuntu3 (using .../ghostscript_8.61.dfsg.1~svn8187-0ubuntu3.2_i386.deb) ...
Cleaning up font configuration of gs...
Cleaning up category psprint..
Cleaning up category cmap..
Cleaning up category cid..
Cleaning up category truetype..
Cleaning up category gsfontderivative..
Cleaning up category type3..
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Please restart any running Firefoxes, or you will experience problems.
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E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)

You have to do the upgrade in the chrooted environment. what you did is upgrade the live system. You have to type the update / uprade commands in the console where you entered "sudo chroot ubuntulocal". Does that make sense ?

ok, i entered it in the rooted console and heres what it returned:
---------------------------
root@ubuntu:/# sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages have been kept back:
  libatm1
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 1 not upgraded.
root@ubuntu:/#
----------------------------------------
is that going to cause problems?

I don't think so.

So, now, time to reinstall grub. in the chrooted environment, what is the output of

sudo fdisk -l

root@ubuntu:/# sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 20.0 GB, 20020396032 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 2434 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 2341 18804051 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 2342 2434 747022+ 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 2342 2434 746991 82 Linux swap / Solaris
root@ubuntu:/#

OK. Give the output of the command (entered in the chrooted env. )

cat /boot/grub/menu.lst

root@ubuntu:/# cat /boot/grub/menu.lst
# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not change this entry to 'saved' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 3

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=64d882fa-305b-4457-8463-edd31636a8c1 ro
# kopt_2_6=root=/dev/hda1 ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-16-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-16-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-16-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-16-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-16-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-16-generic

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-12-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-12-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-12-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-12-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-12-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-12-generic

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-11-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-11-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-11-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-11-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-11-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-11-generic

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-10-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-10-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-10-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-10-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-10-generic root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-10-generic

title Ubuntu, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
root@ubuntu:/#

retry this command in the chrooted environment. I see no reason what it would fail

sudo grub-install /dev/sda

it still gave me an error:
------------------------------------
root@ubuntu:/# sudo grub-install /dev/sda
/dev/sda does not have any corresponding BIOS drive.
root@ubuntu:/#
------------------------------------------

OK. this is a different error. Try

grub-install --recheck /dev/sda

as seen here http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/error-devhdx-does-not-have-any-corresponding-bios-drive-and-solution/

I tried this in both the chrooted console, and the standard, and heres the output:
----------------------------------
root@ubuntu:/# grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
Probing devices to guess BIOS drives. This may take a long time.
/dev/hda1: Not found or not a block device.
root@ubuntu:/#
------------------------------
i copied this directly from the console...i think theres an error there where it says hda, rather than sda
------------------------------
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
Probing devices to guess BIOS drives. This may take a long time.
Could not find device for /boot: Not found or not a block device.
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$
----------------------------------
strange...

i tried restarting the computer and just booting normally, and the process froze on the boot screen with the loading bar. i haven't tried using the newest recovery kernel yet though...

oliver, i tried rebooting through the recovery console, using the first thing you suggested, and this time it worked perfectly, thankyou very much!

Thanks Olivier, that solved my question.

Cool. To make this change permanent, you have to edit the file /boot/grub/menu.lst and make the same modifications. You also need to edit the "default options" in that same file, as they are applied to every new kernel you install